Community colleges in Kalamazoo and Battle Creek will get a share of a new state grant to expand training programs in the skilled trades.
Governor Rick Snyder announced details of the $50-million program Tuesday after highlighting the issue during his "State of the State" address in January. The program was first announced in October 2014.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College will get $4,753,682 while the grant to Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek totals $2,634,469.
State officials say the program will help Michigan companies overcome a shortage in welders, machine operators, electricians, and other skilled trades. The head of the Michigan Manufacturer's Association says thousands of jobs in the state remain unfilled because of a lack of trained workers.
Programs at KVCC include training academies for factory workers and wind turbine technicians as well as a new effort to train cell telephone tower workers.
